Beach Blanket Babylon closes on New Year's Eve, after 45 years in San Francisco. Our third episode brings back the old Question Man format from the San Francisco Chronicle, now called "The Question," asking passersby on a North Beach street corner whether they've heard of Beach Blanket Babylon. From there, Chronicle theater critic Lily Janiak leads…

Beach Blanket Babylon closes on New Year's Eve, after 45 years in San Francisco. In the second episode of our Babylon Gone series, we find the longest-tenured employees at Babylon and hear their best stories, including "The show must go on" moments, celebrity guests (Sidney Poitier FTW) and the emotions in the building as the show comes to an end. …

Beach Blanket Babylon closes on New Year's Eve, after 45 years in San Francisco. The first episode of our Babylon Gone series profiles Tim Santry, the show's longtime wigmaster. Santry grew up the son of farmers and, like many in Babylon, found a home in the quirky San Francisco musical review. Co-produced by Peter Hartlaub, Lily Janiak and Annie V…

The Datebook podcast returns for Season 2 with Babylon Gone, a three-part series looking into the end of Beach Blanket Babylon and the future of live theater in San Francisco. Produced by Peter Hartlaub, Annie Vainshtein and Lily Janiak. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy San Francisco Chronicle

Episode 70 of the Datebook Podcast is Movies with Mick LaSalle, breaking down new films 'The Irishman," 'Ford v Ferrari,' 'The Report' and more. San Francisco Chronicle movie critic LaSalle applauds co-host Leba Hertz for being able to figure out twists in movies with the barest information. (Even as she sort-of spoils "The Good Liar." And the crit…

Theater critic Lily Janiak talks with Daniel Rudman, who was an up-and-coming local playwright in the 1980s until a construction accident left him bedridden for the next three decades. Now, thanks to a medical miracle, he’s semi-mobile again — and he’s back into playwriting. Produced by Lily Janiak. Music by Steven Boyle. Learn more about your ad c…

In the latest Movies with Mick LaSalle, Chronicle movie critic LaSalle and ex-editor Leba Hertz talk about Eddie Murphy, "Dolemite is My Name," "Roy Cohn," "Jojo Rabbit" and other new movies. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "Midnight Special" by E's Jammy Jams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

Episode 67 of Datebook podcast is a conversation between Arts and Entertainment columnist Tony Bravo and filmmaker Marc Huestis. The director of "Whatever Happened to Susan Jane," known for his raucous live shows at Castro Theatre, earlier this year published "The Impresario of Castro Street: An Intimate Showbiz Memoir." Bravo and Huestis talk abou…

Episode 66 of Datebook podcast is an interview with Robert Pattinson. Chronicle A&E reporter Tony Bravo spoke with Pattinson at the Mill Valley Film Festival. They talk about his role in the new movie "The Lighthouse," his 2007 "Twilight" publicity appearance at a Stonestown Hot Topic, which was swarmed by fans (including one with a broken nose) an…

In the latest Movies with Mick LaSalle, the Chronicle's movie critic Mick LaSalle is back with a report from the Venice Film Festival and joined by Leba Hertz.. They talk about highlights from Venice, Renee Zellweger's performance in "Judy," the highs and lows of "Joker" and some early thoughts about the 2019 Academy Awards race. Produced by Peter …

With the new Judy Garland biopic "Judy" in theaters, The Chronicle arts and culture writer Tony Bravo gathers two of his favorite Garland experts to talk about the legacy of the actress and Renee Zellweger's portrayal in the movie. Guests are Connie Champagne, a Bay Area actress and singer who has performed as Garland on stage; and Lara Gabrielle F…

Episode 63 of Datebook podcast is an interview with Nato Green, a union organizer and comedian who helped lead the fight to save the Punch Line comedy club, a historic space that was threatened with closure earlier this year. Green also talks about getting his start in comedy, and why he's a political comic. And host Peter Hartlaub confronts Green …

Episode 58 of Datebook podcast is a 1984 interview between journalist Alice Kahn and Grateful Dead member Jerry Garcia. Reporter Kevin L. Jones wrote a story about the previously unpublished interview for the Chronicle. Garcia talks about his life in the Bay Area, the popularity of the Grateful Dead and how he wants to be remembered. Produced by Pe…

Episode 61 of Datebook podcast is a look at the Chase Center entertainment schedule, with Chronicle pop music critic Aidin Vaziri, senior digital A&E editor Mariecar Mendoza and host Peter Hartlaub. Vaziri previews the arena-opening Metallica show with the San Francisco Symphony set for Friday and Sunday Sept. 6 and 8, and Mendoza talks about the r…

Theater critic Lily Janiak talks with local actor Ed Gonzalez Moreno about how he changed his name to “Ed Berkeley” when he moved to the Bay Area, to “neutralize” his race on paper, and why now he’s changed it back again, all in conjunction with his appearance in “Exit Strategy” at the Aurora, running Aug. 30-Sept. 29. Produced by Lily Janiak Learn…

In this flashback episode of "Datebook" podcast, Joshua Kosman and Lily Janiak join host Peter Hartlaub to talk about when critics get surprised, and how it fuels their work. Janiak talks about a presentation of "Our Town," Hartlaub recalls a Snoop Dogg concert that went from routine to unforgettable and Joshua Kosman recalls some classical music s…

Retired Bay Area “letter carrier” (postal worker) Linda Lee is a different kind of presence on the Bay Area’s gay nightlife scene. In her seventies, her penchant for festive kitty t-shirts, embellishments on her orthopedic cane and colorful sneakers make her a kind of fun grandmother/auntie character at the many drag events, comedy nights, plays, c…

This bonus episode of Datebook podcast from 2018 is an interview with "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" directors Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman and Bob Persichetti. The filmmakers worked on the animated superhero film for more than three years, operating mostly under the radar, before the film was screened for critics and became a critical hit. Th…

Robert Mailer Anderson has written, produced and contributed to the soundtrack for “Windows on the World,” a drama about an Mexican citizen who searches for his father, an undocumented immigrant presumed dead in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks. Anderson joins Datebook music critic Aidin Vaziri and pop culture critic Peter Hartlaub to talk about li…

Today's Movies with Mick LaSalle episode of the Datebook podcast focuses on Quentin Tarantino's new film "Once Upon a Time In Hollywood," a movie LaSalle says is the best of the year so far. Mick LaSalle is joined by senior arts & entertainment editor Rob Morast. They talk about the lesser Tarantino films, and LaSalle talks about meeting the direct…

Duffy Jennings worked at the San Francisco Chronicle for just a decade, but it was filled with news; he covered the Milk/Moscone murders, parts of the Zodiac killings and other high-profile drama in the 1970s. His new memoir is "Reporter's Notebook," covering his time at The Chronicle and his childhood growing up in San Francisco, where his mother …

During a time when senseless gun violence continues to plague our country, artists are transforming weapons into instruments of hope and symbols of peace. In this sponsored episode of the Datebook podcast, King Kaufman speaks with four key individuals behind the upcoming Art of Peace exhibition at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA). Pati Navalt…

Episode 54 of Datebook podcast is Movies with Mick LaSalle. The Chronicle's movie critic is joined by Leba Hertz and talks about his new column in the Sunday Datebook pink section, an upcoming column on women in film, and new films including "The Art of Self-Defense" and "The Lion King." Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "Midnight Special" by E'…

Theater critic Lily Janiak talks with transgender actor Skyler Cooper about playing the title role in “Othello” as a woman and then as a man — from Impact Theatre’s so-called “lesbian” production, in 2005, to Livermore Shakespeare Festival’s production, now running through July 21. Produced by Lily Janiak. Theme music by Steven Boyle. Learn more ab…

The latest Movies with Mick LaSalle covers some movies of the present and future, including "Toy Story 4," the Beatles music-themed "Yesterday" and "Spider-Man: Far From Home." LaSalle is joined by Leba Hertz, and goes on a few fun tangents, including talk about the Roxie theater. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "Midnight Special" by E's Jammy…

Chronicle digital arts & entertainment producer Annie Vainshtein interviews Gabby La La, a musical artist who has teamed with Sayuri to create Crafting with ASMR videos. She talks about the art of ASMR, her development as a musical artist and her band Snow Angel. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is Midnight Special by E's Jammy Jams. Learn more ab…

Datebook podcast features an interview by San Francisco Chronicle reporter Sam Whiting with outgoing San Francisco Ballet executive director Glenn McCoy, who has worked with the Ballet for more than three decades. McCoy talks about his career, why he's retiring at just 60 years old, and what he plans to do next. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is…

The San Francisco Chronicle on June 20 will publish its first Summer Fun Issue. In this week's Datebook podcast, host Peter Hartlaub is joined by senior digital A&E editor Mariecar Mendoza and pop music critic Aidin Vaziri to talk about some entertaining, unusual and often inexpensive things to do in the Bay Area between June and August. Produced b…

In the latest Movies with Mick LaSalle, LaSalle and Leba Hertz cover new movies including "Late Night," "5B" and "Men in Black: International," and last week's "Dark Phoenix." Mick also talks more about Elton John, and response to his personal Elton John column and "Rocketman" review. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "Midnight Special" by E's J…

Chronicle classical music critic Joshua Kosman interviews Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen, a gifted young countertenor who is about to make his S.F. Opera mainstage debut in Handel’s “Orlando.” We talk with him about his newly burgeoning career and his choice of this vocal niche. “Orlando” opens Sunday, June 9. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "Midnight S…

Lily Janiak talks with intimacy choreographer Maya Herbsman. Intimacy choreography is a new name and discrete position for a longstanding job that historically fell to actors or director — how to stage sexually or otherwise intimate scenes in a way that serves the show while also keeping the performers safe. We talk about her work in Cutting Ball’s…

In the latest Movies with Mick LaSalle, host Mick LaSalle talks about his love of Elton John and why he didn't like the new Elton John biopic "Rocketman," "Godzilla: King of the Monsters" and the best movie of the week - the horror/thriller "Ma" starring Octavia Spencer. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "Midnight Special" by E's Jammy Jams. Lea…

With the May 31 Netflix release of "Always Be My Maybe" starring Randall Park and San Francisco native Ali Wong, San Francisco Chronicle senior digital A&E editor Mariecar Mendoza interviews Park and the movie's director Nahnatchka Khan. They talk about filming in San Francisco, a certain high-profile cameo (light spoilers in this episode) and Asia…

Jimmy O. Yang is an offbeat often outsized character as Jian-Yang in "Silicon Valley," Horace in "Fresh Off the Boat" and Bernard in "Crazy Rich Asians." He's a little more low key and thoughtful in person, speaking with San Francisco Chronicle Senior Digital A&E Editor Mariecar Mendoza about Asian representation in Hollywood, the types of roles he…

Chronicle movie critic Mick LaSalle discusses the death of Doris Day, Shakespeare in movies, and new movies including "John Wick 3" and "My Son." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy San Francisco Chronicle

Chronicle wine writer Esther Mobley and Style reporter Tony Bravo join host Peter Hartlaub to talk about the new Netflix movie "Wine Country," filmed in Napa Valley, starring and directed by Amy Poehler. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy San Francisco Chronicle

Chronicle deputy managing editor Kitty Morgan sits down with author T.C. Boyle to talk about his latest acid-infused book, “Outside Looking In,” his own past battle with drugs, the fires near his Montecito home, cats and living in California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

Lily Janiak talks with performer Phil Wong, PianoFight's Rob Ready, Killing My Lobster's Allison Page and Endgames Improv's Max McCal about whether performers in sketch, improv and other kinds of comedy should get paid. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy San Francisco Chronicle

Less than an hour after seeing "Avengers: Endgame," Chronicle film critic Mick LaSalle is joined by Peter Hartlaub and Leba Hertz to give their first impressions of the big new Marvel movie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy San Francisco Chronicle

Critic Joshua Kosman interviews Joseph Young, recorded shortly after the 37-year-old was named conductor of the Berkeley Symphony. Young talks about getting the job, and childhood music interests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy San Francisco Chronicle

Episode 36 of Datebook podcast is Movies with Mick LaSalle, starting with a discussion about "Shazam" and superhero movies, and other new films including "Dumbo," "The Public" and "The Invisibles." LaSalle and his co-host Leba Hertz also make a few detours, talking about baseball movies, the Federalist Papers and the general lousiness of Johnny Dep…

Episode 35 of Datebook podcast is an interview with "Tales of the City" author Armistead Maupin, returning to the San Francisco Chronicle to Style reporter Tony Bravo and Maupin's former People section colleague Ruthe Stein. Maupin talks about the beginnings of the "Tales" column, what it was like being a gay man in the newsroom and his thoughts ab…

Episode 34 of Datebook podcast is an interview with Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij, co-creators of "The OA Part II." Marling is the series star and co-wrote the show. Batmanglij co-wrote and directed most episodes. They talk about why they came to San Francisco, how their research and experiences in the city influenced the script and how their fav…

In Episode 33 of Datebook podcast, Lily Janiak talks to Darryl V. Jones, Lorraine Hansberry Theatre's new acting artistic director. She asks about his vision for the black theater company — a Bay Area institution, but one that's faced setback after setback in the last decade — as well as the show he's directing for it, "The Urban Retreat," which ru…

Episode 32 of Datebook podcast is an interview with Alex Gibney, talking about Silicon Valley and its role in his new HBO documentary about the Elizabeth Holmes/Theranos debacle, "The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley." Gibney talks about his own young career as a documentarian, the late-in-the-game leaked footage that made "The Inventor" s…

Episode 31 of the Datebook podcast is Movies with Mick LaSalle. Mick and movie editor Leba Hertz talk about Steven Spielberg's comments about Netflix, and debate whether Netflix releases should qualify for Academy Awards. They also talk about the new release "Captain Marvel," and whether it's one of the best of the recent Marvel Cinematic Universe …

Episode 30 of the Datebook podcast is a conversation between San Francisco Chronicle art critic Charles Desmarais and Bay Area art collector Komal Shah, who along with her husband Gaurav Garg is presenting the Artists on the Future series at Stanford. The first event in the Komal Shah and Gaurav Garg Artist Conversation Series is set for Monday, Ma…

Episode 28 of Datebook podcast is a live recording of the Feb. 20, 2019, Datebook Talks Oscars event, featuring an Oscars rundown with San Francisco movie critic Mick LaSalle, Style reporter Tony Bravo, East Bay columnist Otis Taylor Jr. and senior digital A&E editor Mariecar Mendoza. The group talks about the upcoming Academy Awards, Oscars of the…

In Episode 28 of Datebook podcast, Mick LaSalle talks about what should win and what will win for the upcoming Feb. 24, 2019, Academy Awards. LaSalle is joined by Chronicle editor Leba Hertz. Their Movies with Mick LaSalle discussion leads to talk about "colonoscopy movies," Christian Bale's surprising English accent and why the worst thing for a j…

In Episode 27 of Datebook podcast, theater critic Lily Janiak interviews local actor and pedicab driver Caleb Cabrera as part of The Artist's Life series, a recurring feature that spotlights the talent who help make up the rich tapestry of the Bay Area’s cultural life. We talk about his recent role in Shotgun Players' "Women Laughing Alone with Sal…